China Inaugurates 5 Archaeological Site Parks in Xizang

One of the archaeological site areas in Xizang, China. This area contains traces of ancient human life, including the civilization of the hunter community in the highland lake area. (CHINAPhoto: China Daily)

China has inaugurated five regional autonomous archaeological site parks in Xizang, the country's southwest region. This step is part of efforts to protect ancient sites while opening up archaeological research results to the public.

As reported by China Daily quoted Sunday, June 14, the inauguration was held in Lhasa on Saturday at the Cultural and Natural Heritage Day event. The five locations are the first wave of regional archaeological site parks in Xizang.

Archaeological site parks are protected, landscaped, and open for education, research, and public visits.

One of the five sites is the first Neolithic site discovered in central Tibet. The Neolithic is known as the younger stone age, when humans began to develop agriculture, settlements, and more refined stone tools.

Other sites feature traces of ancient hunter-gatherer civilizations on the shores of highland lakes. These findings provide insight into past human life in the high-altitude region of Xizang.

Sun Dan, official of the Xizang cultural heritage bureau, said the local government would increase protection of sites, educational tourism, archaeological research, and the development of public facilities. According to him, this step is aimed at making archaeological research beneficial to the community.

In the same report, China Daily said the Chinese central government has invested more than 110 million yuan, or about 16.15 million US dollars, in conservation and utilization projects for ancient manuscripts, including palm leaf manuscripts at the Potala Palace.

In January this year, local cultural and tourism authorities announced the results of the fourth national census of cultural relics. Xizang recorded 3,346 new heritage sites that were successfully identified and entered the group of regions with the most new findings in China.